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2024tshirt-grads (1)
Academics
College Counseling
Welcome from the Senior School Deans!
At Sewickley Academy, we take pride in providing comprehensive, individualized support and guidance to our students, and the Senior School Dean plays a crucial role in ensuring their success and well-being. The Senior School Dean serves as a dedicated point of contact for students beginning from the moment they step onto our campus and continues to support them throughout their Senior School journey. This vital position is responsible for nurturing the academic, personal, and future development of our students.
Grade Level Timelines
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Grade 9
During the Grade 9 year, students will meet with their Dean Cohort group bi-monthly to engage in work around the transition from Middle School to Senior School. Academic advising is a focus during these sessions, partnering with our Support Services team to provide study strategies, time management habits, self-advocacy skill building, and social engagement practices.Families will have formalized checkpoint meetings with their student and Dean three times throughout the school year: once in the summer months, once in the winter, and once around spring break.- Summer meetings focus on course scheduling and reviewing a student's 4-year academic plan.
- Winter meetings focus on student progress and social-emotional support. Here, Deans will encourage students to find extracurricular pursuits to explore, working to find their passions.
- Spring meetings will be an opportunity to discuss summer programming, service learning, and community engagement opportunities.
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Grade 10
During the Grade 10 year, students will meet with their Dean Cohort group bi-monthly to engage in work around the increasing rigor of classes throughout the Grade 10 year. Emerging student leadership is a focus during these sessions, partnering with our Director of Student Life and our Senior School Advisory program to provide discussion around opportunities for club involvement, outside programming, student event planning as well as competition and recognition programs.Families will have formalized checkpoint meetings with their student and Dean three times throughout the school year: once in the summer months, once following Winter Break, and once near the end of the school year.- Summer meetings focus on course scheduling and reviewing a student's 4-year academic plan.
- January/February meetings focus on student progress and leadership development. Deans will work with students to help them determine pathways toward leadership opportunities on and off campus. Students will also use the career readiness tools in our SCOIR system to explore career pathways.
- April/May meetings will be an opportunity to discuss summer programming, service learning, and community engagement opportunities. In addition to this Deans will work with the student and their family to determine their testing plan in preparation for the SAT or ACT.
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Grade 11
During the Grade 11 year, students will meet with their Dean Cohort group bi-monthly to engage in work around the college admissions process. Considering the idea of 'fit' is the focus during these sessions, exploring various colleges and universities as well as academic fields and intended majors and minors. Grade 11 students will also have the opportunity to attend college admissions rep visits throughout the fall and work with their Dean to obtain teacher letters of recommendation for college.Families will have formalized checkpoint meetings with their student and Dean three times throughout the school year: once in June, once in September, and once in February.- September meetings will focus on the college fit exploration process, making a plan for upcoming college admissions rep visits, discussing campus visit plans, and setting the tone for the Grade 11 academic year.
- February meetings focus on final standardized testing plans and college list building in our SCOIR system.
- June meetings are one of the most important meetings of the four-year plan where the student, family, and Dean determine their college application list of schools. Students also attend App Lab during this month where they work with their Dean to build the college essay, personal statement, and supporting supplemental material for their application.
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Grade 12
During the Grade 12 year, students will meet with their Dean frequently to follow Sewickley Academy's Senior year college application timeline.Families are encouraged to have conversations with their student's dean throughout the year in regard to college outcomes.
Deans' Areas of Focus
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Academic Achievement
The Deans serve as academic counselors to students throughout their four years of Senior School. They work closely with students and their families to guide them through their four-year academic journey, including progress toward meeting Sewickley Academy's Vision of a Graduate; developing the students' interests and aspirations; and exploring opportunities for growth. Deans support students in selecting classes, reviewing grades, setting goals, and addressing academic challenges.A goal is to support students in developing the skills necessary for independent, lifelong learning alongside a strong capacity for self-advocacy and critical thinking. -
Extracurricular Exploration
The Deans partner with the robust programming of the Academy in supporting student extracurricular pursuits, through the arts, athletics, clubs, competitions, and external offerings. -
Personal Accountability
As teens navigate the uncharted years of high school, they encounter an unpredictable new frontier of development. The Deans provide social and emotional support to students in partnership with our Senior School Advisory Program and our Support Services Department. As students are confronted with social or emotional issues in need of additional attention, the Deans work with these campus offices to provide guidance, care, and responsiveness.
When needed, students may be referred to the school counselor, learning specialist, health team, our school psychologist, the Director of Student Life, or the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. If issues persist beyond these supports, the Deans will work with Academy leadership to determine the next steps of support for students, either with the Head of the Senior School, the Associate Head of School, or the Head of School.
With these supports in place, students can focus on achievement,
growth, and learning in a safe, supportive, and caring community. The Deans work in tandem with our school-wide Framework for Discipline, found in the handbook, modeling a responsive structure of support. -
Social Engagement
Continuing to partner with our various campus offices, the Deans work with students to help them explore their passions and sense of purpose. Whether students find their 'why' through Global Studies, the Arts, Athletics, Summer Programs, our Libraries, cross-divisional work, external programs, service initiatives, diversity, equity, and inclusion advocacy, or other avenues, the Dean core aims to guide students in forming their identity through their experiences in the Senior School.All of this work is driven by the mission of Sewickley Academy and our core values: Sewickley Academy inspires and educates students to engage their hearts, minds, and hands to cultivate their full individual and collective potential in the service of a greater good.
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College Counseling Resources
Each Senior School Dean works collaboratively with a team of professionals from various educational backgrounds, all bringing their unique expertise and insights. Together, they ensure that every student receives comprehensive support tailored to their individual needs.
Welcome to Sewickley Academy!
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College Reps
We welcome college admission representatives to come visit our outstanding Sewickley Academy students and College Counseling team. You can now schedule a visit through SCOIR.
